Mexico’s Minister of Agriculture, H.E José Calzada paid a courtesy call on H.H the Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Speaker of the National Assembly, H.E Marzouq Al-Ghanim, H.H Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohamad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Director General of KFAED Abdulwahab Al-Bader, and Executive Director for Planning at KIA, Dr Ahmad Bastaki, as well as to greet the Minister of Public Works, H.E Ali Saleh Al-Omair.

Mexico can provide the best agricultural products to Kuwait, said H.E Jose Calzada, Mexico’s Minister of Agriculture, after the inauguration of the first Mexican agri food products exhibition in Kuwait on 18th May.

The Mexican minister praised Mexico’s achievements, especially on being the 12th largest producer of food products in the world. “We have invested a lot in technology and innovation when it comes to food and agriculture products, and can be a very good partner with Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula in terms of agri-business. Currently, we only have trade worth $4 million with Kuwait, but we know we can increase this amount by over 50 percent annually, by connecting buyers and sellers,” Calzada pointed out. “With Kuwait, our plan is to reach about $1 billion in trade in the next 10 years. It’s achievable and we want to start now,” he emphasised.

The minister explained that most of Mexico’s agricultural food products go to the United States; about 89 percent, and the rest goes to Canada, Europe, Japan and even China. “We are among the biggest food producers - for example, we are the fourth largest producers of tomatoes in the world, and the top producers of avocados and lemons,” said Calzada.

The minister also mentioned Mexico’s huge investment in halal products. “Kuwait has a long friendship with Mexico, so I have brought many businessmen with me to showcase our agricultural products. I want to go home with good news for my president, especially over your interest in agricultural food products,” he said. The event was also attended by Khalid Meshari Al-Khalid, member of the board of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Miguel Angel Isidro, Ambassador of Mexico to Kuwait, reminded the audience that the visit by Calzada comes on the heels of a very successful visit by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in January this year. “The visit of Agriculture Minister Jose Calzada, along with the biggest delegation of businessmen, is a great example of our strong ties. The trade component of his visit was particularly relevant, including the business forum held at the KCCI hosted by Chairman Ali-Thunayan Al-Ghanem,” Isidro said.

The envoy also hailed trade relations between Kuwait and Mexico, which have grown over the years. “The dynamism of the automotive sector, the metal-mechanic sector and the agri-food sector supports this steady development. In 10 years, our trade balance grew almost 180 percent, and we expect better figures this year. The agri-food forum in Kuwait truly represents a historic moment and the embassy is pleased to be a part of it,” he said. The forum also served delicacies from Mexico.